The highest calling of a human being, I believe, is not a wonderful career or even a happy family.  Nor is it to have lots of money or a luxurious home.  Instead, I have found that we all have potential that is rarely utilized.  Developing this potential is what I call spiritual development.

BASIC PRINCIPLES REGARDING SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

Here are some general principles regarding this type of development:

1. Spiritual development is the recognition that the physical life derives from the invisible world of spirit.

2. One can actually know this larger spiritual world with direct experiences. 

3. One can attune or develop the body to make it an instrument of amazing sensitivity. 

4. Many gifts are given or develop as a result of this tuning in process.  

5. Among the most important, however, are simply a longer, healthier, happier life.

6. it is possible to develop the subtle bodies.  This is a relatively unknown fact about human beings.  Every person has a physical body, but we all also have a number of electronic or energy bodies as well.  This has been known for thousand s of years by some ancient mystics in the orient, for example.  There is nothing unusual or sacreligious in this understanding, as it does not diminish the importance of physical life whatsoever, and indeed gives it deeper meaning, as we will see.

These subtle bodies go by various names.  Common ones are the astral, mental, etheric  and causal bodies.  The names are less important than the concept.  Since this is a large subject, a separate article entitled The Chakras and the Aura describe the bodies in more detail.

What it is not.  Before becoming more specific, I want to explain what this type of spiritual development is not about.  Here is a short list.  It is not about:

1. It is not about learning some body of knowledge, including even holy books or scripture.  In fact, those who are supposedly less intelligent or less learned often make better candidates for this type of development.  Of course, one who is learned can also pursue this method of development, but learning is not required.  In other words, it is not of the intellect or brain-mind. 

2. It is also not about psychology, such as understanding one’s family of origin with its dysfunctions or glories. 

3. It is also not about learning or practicing any kind of trade, business or profession such as being a healer or a priest. 

4. It is not about any specific mental or even physical training exercises, although meditation is used to help develop one in the way I will explain.

5. It is not spiritualism, in which one tunes into dead people or spirits to gain access to information.

6. It is not about the development of psychic powers, phenomena or mediumship.  However, there can be overlap in some cases.

Phenomena that may considered supernatural or unusual may occur.  But these are never the goal and are pure incidental.  If they ever become the objectives, then one has lost sight of real development.

 HOW TO BEGIN SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

In rare instances, this development happens spontaneously, such as  with the ones known as Jesus, Buddha, Enoch and others.  This is rare, however. 

In most cases, one must pursue a lifestyle that slowly awakens the subtle bodies that are latent within each of us.  This is done with a specific procedures that is  discussed in much longer articles for each of the following.  Below are the lifestyle factors and following each is a link to the article or articles that discuss it in depth.  This is important because each carries specific instructions, warnings and things to avoid.  Here are the main factors:

1. Rest in large amounts.  See The Benefits of Rest and Sleep.

2. A specific, healthful  diet.  See Food And Spiritual Development, as well as many other articles dealing with specific foods, eating habits, extreme diets such as vegetarian diets and more on this website.

3. Either steam distilled or spring water, whenever possible.  See Drinking Water and other articles on diet, lifestyle, toxic metals and others.

3. Sexual restraint.  See Sexuality And Development .

4. Attitude adjustment.  See The Biological Basis of Positive Thinking and many other articles about positive attitudes on the website.

5. Emotional control

6. Purification of the body, mind and spirit or attitudes.  See many articles on this subject such as Sauna Therapy and the article entitled Toxic Metals and others.

7. Avoidance of toxins, radiation in particular, and all obstacles to development.  I will name just a few and more are discussed in various articles on this website.  The most important one is radiation from cell phones, x-ray machines, dental x-rays, mammagrams, flying too much which exposes one to more radiation of the planet and the use of many electronic devices that give off radioactive or electromagnetic fields.

While other practices may be very helpful, these are the major lifestyle factors that I recommend for everyone.

Other systems of development.  In the past, there have been many other such systems including oriental yogic practices, Taoist Chinese practices and many others in the East and the West.  The approach outlined in this article is tailored for modern and ill mankind living in a polluted world.

Today one must contend with constant genetic manipulation of the food and livestock supplies, contaminated drinking water and modern toxic chemicals and toxic metals in unheard of amounts in the environment.  No amount of environmental cleanup will stop this progression, so the system must be able to deal with it as it is now and in the future.

Sexual morality is also a far cry from what it was even 100 years ago and temptations are greater for women, especially, thanks to pills, patches, IUDs and other devices that seem to promise sexual freedom and “liveration” for women, though they are no such thing.

Modern man is also not living in monasteries and convents, for the most part.  This, believe if or not, is a new phenomena and one that is wonderful, as many more people can be reached thanks to the internet and other mass systems of communication and learning.

However, this means that our system must be designed for those with busy work schedules, family obligations and social calendars to deal with.

Modern mankind is also quite ill.  This must not be overelooked.  The young women are ill, so the children are born ill with what medicine calls congenital imbalances and excessive levels of toxic metals and toxic chemicals at birth in all but a very few who live on the farm away from most civilized food and drink.

Discipline will be discussed separately, but is obviously very important.  Otherwise how can one follow a diet and lifestyle, let alone meditate or do other practices that take time and effort.

Discipline is thus absolutely needed. 

HOW TO BEGIN YOUR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

Opening oneself to greater spiritual possibilities is the essential first step to begin the process.  Next I recommend reading the articles recommended above in all six of the basic areas of lifestyle that are critical for development.

Begin to practice this lifestyle as much as you can.  It will become easier with time.  Also, I strongly suggest a physical exercise or procedure I learned about 30 years ago and have found most helpful.  I continue to do this daily and I know it allows me to receive more from the sprit world by releasing more of the influences from the physical world.

THE ENERGY CIRULATION MEDITATION

Begin by sitting in a straight back chair or laying down on your back, preferably without a pillow under your head in order to keep your entire spine straight and flat.

Now imagine a flow of energy moving down the body, from the head to the feet.  (This is a common practice associated with the martial arts such as tai chi).  You can either direct the energy down the body or you can feel it being drawn into the body from above your head if sitting or from behind your head if laying down.

This is, in fact, a very ancient and simple practice.  At times, I pretend that a giant vacuum is at my feet, sucking the energy into the body from above if sitting or from behind the head if laying down.

Sitting is slightly better, but not necessary.  It makes it a little easier to adjust your back, which may be needed from time to time.  You may also move your neck back and forth as needed and you may notice slight popping sounds when you do this.  It is fine, if this happens. 

Another way to imagine the flow of energy is to imagine standing under a waterfall or shower, with energy pouring down the body.  I imagine the energy pouring into the head and out through the hands and feet.  I also, when laying down, imagine laying in a swiftly flowing river with the water moving fast from my head down to my feet. 

Anything like this will help keep your attention focused on the exercise.  This is basically all there is to it.  However, doing it a lot can feel boring and that is what is needed.

I also began by doing the exercise while walking very slowly and deliberately.  This is not so easy, though.  However, I had trouble sitting still so I found it easier than laying down or sitting, at first.  Later, one calms down and sitting or laying down becomes easier.

I found that doing a coffee enemas was a good time to meditate this way.  I was lying on my back anyway, and simply added the meditation to the internal purification procedure.

 It actually helped my focus to do it while involved in a coffee enema because I was not tempted to move for fear of letting coffee spill on the floor.

Any situation such as traveling in an airplane where you are “stuck” in a seat is a good time to do the exercise.

Breathing.  Now, along with the exercise in the above section, also breathe deeply, preferably using a three-part yoga breath that begins in the abdomen, moves to the lower chest and then to the upper chest.  Exhale in the same order if possible.  That is, first exhale from the abdomen, then the lower chest and then the upper chest collapses.

Breathing is very important for the exercise.  The breath must mix with the energy as it flows down the body.  This will assist the energy to nourish your body, mind and spirit.

Stretching.   There is an additional part to this exercise that is very powerful.  You needn’t begin with it, however.  Once you are comfortable with the first two parts, the energy flow and the breathing, you may move your head and neck so that you stretch the torso and spine. 

It is as though someone is pulling your head up if you are sitting or back if you are laying down.  Do you tilt the head in any direction.  Just move it straight up if sitting or straight back if laying down.  If anything, try to flatten the neck a little as you do this, but do not move the head in any other direction.  If laying down, flattening the neck means that the neck will sit closer to the bed.

This may feel uncomfortable at first.  Do not fret about it.  Just allow the neck and back to stretch out as much as possible. 

The popping sound.  You may feel a pop inside the neck, the back or somewhere else when you do this forcefully.  This is actually good, although it is scary the first few times it happens.  Do not worry.  It is a sign you are doing the exercise perfectly, in fact. 

Crackling of the neck and torso.  Along with the stretching motion, every few minutes or so very gently turn the head from side to side.  Slight releases or crackling sounds are normal and desirable with this process. 

Periodic twisting and stretching the body are also excellent.  Often, you will feel releases, and subtle flows of energy moving out the hands and feet. 

When and how much to do the exercise.  It is excellent to do this exercise each day for about 30 to 60 minutes at first.  The best times are really any time you can.  I usually do it when I first wake up in the morning, at night before bed laying in bed, and even in the middle of the night if I wake up or cannot sleep for some reason.  Often, I will fall asleep afterwards.

If  you are stressed about something, you will find this exercise will relieve tension and be relaxing.

HINTS

Do not fear.  Many people fear that if they change, they will lose friends, family members and other so-called benefits of this world.  This does happen at times, but the only reason is that you will leave behind those who really don’t like the real you.  This is difficult, I realize, but well worth any seeming loss that takes place.

It takes a certain amount of trust to know that as things change they are always replaced with something better if one is developing one’s higher or inner self.  So do not fear change that will occur with development.   In fact, all of your best qualities will be preserved at all times and the truth of all else will be revealed.

Development takes a lot of time, so start now. Old ways must change and at times; relationships, habits, jobs and every other aspect of life-as-usual will change.  However, when the time for these changes is right, they can take place with grace and love. These changes should never come with anger or resentment or from a place of fear.

Do not be concerned about when development will come to fruition.  The process is very individual, but will proceed apace if you follow the guidelines in this article.

Much depends on how faithful you are with your diet, resting, sexual continence and all the other attitudes and behaviors that are necessary to place your body, mind and spirit in the right places, spiritually speaking, to receive more of the energy of the universe that helps create and fill out the subtle bodies.

All are guided all the time, at first through dreams and other unconscious means and later directly.  So do not fear that you are not guided and that no one cares about your development.  The creator definitely knows your intent, which is an important secondary factor.

The creator is like the sun that shines on everyone, all of the time, regardless of behavior and identity.  One is free, however, to run into a basement and not to feel the sun’s warmth.  This is what people do most of the time.

Development is a wonderful adventure.  Start now, and watch the continual unfolding.   Do the work, including the physical exercise described above.  I am available to help if you are not sure if you are doing it correctly.  Remember, you are not the body you animate, but the force of animation itself, the spirit dancing in the flesh, the extension of the creator’s love in physical form.  And never doubt that all things are working for your good when you commit yourself to spiritual development.